A “Change your Health… Change your Life” Message

Taming the Tongue toward Physical Fitness

VERSE REFERENCE:  James 3:3-8 NLT (emphasis added)

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

The tongue is a powerful weapon. In James, he goes as far as to compare the tongue is a flame of fire. He also says that no one can tame the tongue – it is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.   I don’t know about you – but I’ve tried to tame my own tongue. I’ve focused so much on what I’m saying or not saying, trying my hardest to not say the wrong thing. And that’s the problem – the ability to control my tongue depends completely on me and my efforts. James said it himself – “no one can tame the tongue.”

There is still hope to control the tongue. We have access to that rudder that controls a huge ship in the direction it will turn. That rudder is the Holy Spirit. When we abide (remain in relationship) with the Holy Spirit, he does the work for us. He changes our hearts so we no longer have to try and “control” what comes out of our mouths. He doesn’t want us to become masters at managing sin. He wants us to allow Him to become master of us so he can do the heart changes to bring fourth good fruit in what comes out of your mouth, which leads to blessings.

The Holy Spirit can “tame your tongue” as it relates to what you eat. Instead of making the focus on trying really hard not to eat those foods you know aren’t so good for you, why not ask Holy Spirit to change your heart and empower you to control your tongue? When you allow the Holy Spirit to get involved, HE will make the changes in your heart, which is often where the underlying problem is. When we harbor sin in our hearts, it comes out in many different ways – even in the foods we crave. When He starts to make those changes in your heart, you’ll start having victories in what you eat and crave.

1.) Every day when you wake up, ask the Holy Spirit to tame your tongue.

2.) Find a verse in the bible that will help you when you need the power to control your tongue

Lord, thank you that your grace and mercy is new every single day. Thank you that my performance is not dependent upon me but dependent upon what you did on the cross. Give me the power and strength today to tame my tongue towards people and what I eat. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By: Daniel Stein, NFPT-CPT

“Change your Health… Change your Life”

Originally Posted on Rhema Counseling Associates